For anyone who’s had surgery through Kaiser insurance in SoCal

Did you have either of the above plans and if so, what was the cost of your surgery? I’m trying to decide which plan to get currently and I see that the difference between them in regards to surgery would be 40% vs 45% coverage. I need to get an estimate of how much surgery will be going through Kaiser so I know if paying for the higher plan will be worth it for surgery, and I couldn’t find any estimates for it anywhere.
thank you!

I had top surgery 4 months ago and ever since six weeks i’ve hated my results. He left some breast tissue to try and make it more natural, but i feel like he left too much. the swelling still is continuing to go down so hopefully by a year ill feel much more optimistic about my results. i have learned over the past couple of weeks to start to like my results, or at least hate them less. dont get me wrong, i love having gotten the surgery and love everything to do with it otherwise, i just dont like the look of them.

Anyway, onto the main goal of this post. I haven’t been around anyone shirtless since the surgery, but my family is going on vacation to the beach so i’m going to have to be, or wear a water shirt. My main concern is that because i feel like my chest sticks out more than what the rest of my body would indicate (at least that’s what my brain is telling me), i’m worried that people are going to think i’m being indecent or that i should be wearing something up top. I feel like from certain angles my chest does look like boobs. I have included multiple pictures, some in which i think my chest looks normal, boob-ish, or somewhere in the middle. I would appreciate any input on whether or not you would think twice about me being shirtless at the beach. Please be honest. Thanks.

I’m 10 days post op from double incision without nipple grafts and I feel weirdly fine. I know you’re not supposed to lift heavy things or raise your arms above your shoulders, especially in the first two weeks, but it doesn’t hurt for me. My surgeon was pretty lax about restrictions and didn’t give me clear guid besides “take it easy.” I’ve done several questionable things in the last couple days, like raising my arms all the way to move a shower head, lifting my weighted blanket back onto my bed, pushing myself in my wheelchair, and laying + sleeping on my stomach. None of it hurts. The only thing i feel is pulling on the tape over my dressings. I can’t tell if I’m just super desensitized because I have chronic pain, including around my ribs from binding, or if I’m somehow fine. I’m a bit worried about stretching my incisions or otherwise messing up my results and I’m not sure if I should be keeping my arms below my shoulders and such. I don’t know how much of this is normal.

CW: breast positivity, I don't want anybody to feel dysphoric

Callout to my fellow Testosterone users:

Has anyone opted to only get a radical reduction rather than a full top surgery, and stayed on T afterwards? How has your volume been with the fat distribution; are they perky or did they still deflate?

I don't want to get rid of all my breasts. I'm FTX and still delight in presenting fem when I feel like it. I also like having them, just not as big or droopy as they are now. My preference would absolutely be having them small enough to pass as pecs under a binder if I want to present only masc. I also don't plan on staying at a binary men's level of T forever.

If someone would be willing to share your experience/pictures I would be super grateful, but even some advice would be amazing.

All body types experience is welcome and helpful! 🩷

Thank you!

Can anyone tell if this is hypertrophic scarring or just raised? Some sources say scars look worst at 2-3 months PO and start lightening and flattening from 3 months onward, but others say that normal raised but non hypertrophic scars should've started fading already by 8 weeks.

Im hoping my nipples pinken up more

Hey fellas — 27, NB, top surgery scheduled and now it’s less than a month away!! I’m very excited! But also riddled with constant anxiety about something happening and it being taken away from me. Can anyone relate? Like, my pre-anesthesia appointment is in about a week, and I’m worried that something will come up in their questions and they’ll be like, “uh oh, sorry buddy, no top surgery for you.” Or they’ll take my blood the day of surgery, and find an issue(?) and cancel it on the spot or something. I’m aware these scenarios are totally illogical (I have no health conditions that would prevent me from getting surgery), but this is also my first surgery ever, and first time with general anesthesia, so I’m just constantly anxious about it! I figured talking about it might do some good, so that’s why I’m here. Thanks for reading my rambling lmao

How am I looking?

This was first day I could take a shower normally with water running over my nipples and not have to wear anything over my nipples, it’s amazing.

How much longer do you guys think I’ll be off from work as I’m a truck unloader who gets 20,000-26,000 steps a shift and am very physically active on the job and required to lift at least 50 pounds. (Keep in mind can’t go back with restrictions because I wouldn’t be able to truck unload since it’s the minimum requirement/that’s the job title lol to be lifting and on the move)

Also do you guys think I can start working out again? I feel like I’m not my self with not being able to move and lift weights.

What movements/light workouts can I do 4 weeks post op

my girlfriend and i were joking and she tried to rip my phone out of my hand and i subconsciously kept holding it. my chest hurts really bad and is burning and im worried it ruined my results and stretched my incision. the skin around this part of the incision is lower than the rest of my skin and looks raw. what do i do?

I am 4.5 weeks post op, and went to the beach today with some friends for my first super public shirtless appearance after an extended keyhole procedure (I didn't actually swim, don't worry)! It felt great, but I have noticed there's a pretty distinct shadow between and under where my breasts used to be. I'm nervous about this and the lack of flatness, but also don't want to freak myself out unnecessarily if this is something that will just take time. Thoughts?

First pic is from beach today, second and third are taken at time of posting later the same night.

I can feel the tubes under my skin, which is gross, and my binder is squashing them into presumably the muscles of my chest, which is gross AND really hurts. And the exit sites itch like crazy. I cannot wait to be rid of these hideous things forever. But I'm also kind of dreading the removal because holy shit, there is a lot of tube in there. 🤢

Anyway yeah 0/5⭐ for drains.

Not only is it frustrating but it honestly makes me want to scream because of how much sensory hell it is. I can’t tell if I’m just fat or if they left tissue behind. Would even extending my scars help or do I just have to drop another couple thousand dollars to remove this.

I masturbated yesterday and today im 2 weeks post op. I noticed more swelling on my right side that wasn’t there before… did I mess up my results ? What does this mean for me? Has anyone been in a similar situation?? I know I shouldn’t have done it I regret it a lot now definitely not worth it :/ 💔💔💔. Should I tell my surgeon team about this or just see if the swelling goes down on its own ? How would I even tell if it was a hematoma?

I usually dont like to post rants or anything very emotionally charged or vulnerable especially on a place like reddit, but right now it seems like a good outlet.

I feel exhausted beyond belief trying to get this surgery but im sure many other trans masc people have felt the same way. Ive been trying to get top surgery since about 2022? (Ive been wanting it much earlier but this was when I first started to try and get in contact with doctors about it) Moved from one doctor to another, switched insurance and have had so many roadblocks along the way both in my personal life and in specific to healthcare.

Right now im in the boat of waiting for insurance to give me an answer. I had an amazing consult, they told me my original insurance wouldn’t cover- but I already switched in advance because they gave me the heads up before the consult. Then I had to go back in forth between the nurse and insurance, one telling me one thing that seemingly contradicted the other. Worked to get letters to appeal my ‘denial’ of coverage only to find the office never put it through my insurance in the first place- which I only found out after fighting on my client portal with a nurse that I assume wasnt assigned to my case as they kept talking about my old insurance and didnt know my plan was self funded. I also have requested diagnostic codes and an estimate in good faith more than twice and have not gotten a response..

My insurance has since opened up a claim for me, and requested access to records (im assuming to see if its deemed ‘medically necissary’

I keep feeling like I make some type of progress and then something happens that redirects my entire outlook on if it’s even going to happen. With this anytime I have the opportunity or responsibility to follow up such as even making a simple phone call I freak out or want to break down because I know its not going to be the answer im looking for.

I’m currently 12 days post op and I am super happy with how everything has been going! Photos are day one post op, then day 5 and day 11! Plus a cuddly cat pic lol.

After the annoyance of going back and forth with insurance, everything went so smoothly! I’m super happy with how everything came out!

In total I had 8 pounds removed. It’s such a weird shock to see my body without what was there. It hasn’t settled in yet that I actually got surgery.

I’ve been pretty independent since day one. My mobility is great, to the point where I have to remind myself that just because I can do things doesn’t mean I should. It sucks but it’s temporary! The drains have been the most annoying part. My left came out on day 11 and the right one will hopefully be coming out Monday, day 17!

I am so so grateful for Dr. Reformat and his team and would recommend anyone that is in the Boston / Brookline area to go to him!

I had surgery on the 10th and recovery was going pretty well until this week, I had my post op appointment last week and left with no notes past a seroma or two and some bruises. This week I had a couple concerns about my incisions looking funky and having a bit more drainage, I contacted the clinic and they sad nothing looks infected and we set up another follow-up just to check later in the week. I wasn't fully convinced of the assessment so I went to the ER yesterday, they did a bunch of tests and everything came back normal so they sent me on my way.

Lo-and-behold, today I have a fever of 100.8. My follow up is tomorrow and they said as long as its controlled by meds it can wait until then to do cultures and look at them, but I'm just so upset being proactive did nothing to prevent this 🙃

DI + FNG w/ Dr. Reformat in Boston

I was recommended to repost in this sub for more specific help!

Update since originally posting in FTM group: scheduling second consult, as my first consult Dr. recommended me elsewhere

In NYS, willing to travel to NYC.

I've been scouring the Internet and tiktok for surgeons with great results for top surgery. I know what I'm looking for in results but not tethered to a specific method to get there.
My issue falls with the fact that a lot of surgeons don't offer great postoperative care , and I am black before I am a trans man.
I have seen a trend of surgeons botching BIPOC people, however their white patients have amazing results.
Looking for recommended doctors I can consult with, who people have had great experience with. Before & after photos, or links to surgeon portfolios would be much appreciated.

I am about two weeks post op. I woke up twice last night to a rapid heartbeat. I ended up calling my health insurance nurse line last night, and they said since I had no other symptoms I did not need care right then. I have continued to have periods of high heart rate while at rest (between 100-120) today. I let my surgeon's team know, but they also don't think that it is related to my surgery. (I sent in photos of my of my surgical sight)

I have decided to see my primary care doctor tomorrow because it is freaking me out. My resting heart rate is usually around 60.

Anyone have heart rate changes after surgery?

Hello everyone. I am travelling to the US next month to meet with a surgeon for a possible top surgery revision. They're only a few hours away from me by car, across the border, so I plan to drive. This appointment is only to discuss options, not the surgery itself, and I'm paying for everything privately. I'll be returning to Canada the same day.

I am wondering if any Canadians can give me some advice about what to say at the border. I know most Canadians haven't had trouble crossing the border lately, but I also know that border agents tend to ask what you're doing in the States. Am I obligated to tell them I'm seeing a surgeon? I'm worried that will prompt more questions. I'd say something else, but I worry that could impact my return to the US in a few more months if I decide to go ahead with the revision and stay a few weeks over the border.

For context, all my personal identification documents were updated a long time ago. Name, gender marker, etc. I've been on T a long time and have few problems passing. I'll be going with one or two members of my family in my own car, maybe not bringing my laptop (just in case).

Thank you.

Is there any surgeons in Oregon who will do top surgery on someone under the age of 19? I'm having a difficult time finding one who will do it under 19 and need some help finding one, if there is any.

Hi yall Im 2wks and a day post op and was wondering when to start scar care? My doctor instructed that at 2 weeks to take off the steri strips and to begin scar treatment but was wondering if its too early?